As would surprise nobody who's refused to turn a blind eye to the plight of Palestinians, a UN council has examined what can only be charitably called modern day Palestine, and finds it in drastic, desperate denial of basic human rights.

The criticism stems largely from the settlement expansion, which remains a tremendous blight on the country.

It also takes note of settler terrorism, and how even basic infrastructure in Palestine, most notably schools, are poorly protected and are essentially in tatters.

103. The settlements are established and developed for the exclusive benefit of Israeli Jews; settlements are being maintained and developed through a system of total segregation between the settlers and the rest of the population living in the OPT. This system of segregation is supported and facilitated by a strict military and law enforcement control to the detriment of the rights of the Palestinian population.

104. The Mission considers that in relation to the settlements Israel is committing serious breaches of its obligations under the right to self-determination and "certain obligations under international humantarian law", including the obligation not to transfer its population into the POT.

105. The existence of the settlements has had a heavy toll on the rights of the Palestinians. Their rights to freedom of self-determination, non-discrimination, freedom of movement, equality, due process, fair trial, not to be arbitrarily detained, liberty and security of person, freedom of expression, freedom to access places of worship, education, water, housing, adequate standard of living, property, access to natural resources and effective remedy are being violated consistently and on a daily basis.

106. The volume of information received on dispossession, evictions, demolitions and displacement points to the magnitude of these practices. There are particularly widespread in certain areas and acute in East Jerusalem.

107. The Mission has noted that the identities of settlers who are responsible for violence and intimidation are known to the Israeli authorities, yet these acts continue with impunity. There is institutionalised discrimination against the Palestinian people when it comes to addressing violence. The Mission believes that the motivation behind this violence and the intimidation against the Palestinians as well as their properties is to drive the local populations away from their lands and allow the settlements to expand.

108. The Mission is gravely concerned at the high number of children who are apprehended or detained, including for minor offences. They are invariably mistreated, denied due process and fair trial. In violation of international law they are transferred to detention centers in Israel.

109. Children suffer harrassment, violence and encounter significant obstacles in attending educational institutions, which limits their right to access education.

As would surprise nobody who's refused to turn a blind eye to the plight of Palestinians, a UN council has examined what can only be charitably called modern day Palestine, and finds it in drastic, desperate denial of basic human rights.

The criticism stems largely from the settlement expansion, which remains a tremendous blight on the country.

It also takes note of settler terrorism, and how even basic infrastructure in Palestine, most notably schools, are poorly protected and are essentially in tatters.